Stalking Wild Wood Nymphs

Last night I packed my pick up so that I could be out of the house bright and early. I went out to the Burris Ranch to put up a new feeder and perches. On my drive out it was beautiful. The valley was still covered in a layer of fog and the sun was trying to break through. Stepping out of the cab when I arrived at the ranch I immediately wished I had worn something warmer than shorts and sandals. I was happy I had pulled on a light sweater on before heading out the door. The thermostat in my truck said it was 40 degrees F. After setting everything up the sun was just starting to clear the ridge behind the ranch. I settled into the photoblind for some great bird photography. By ten o’clock the lighting was starting to go so I headed up into the one of the pastures behind the ranch to see what I could find. There were Wood Nymph Butterflies popping up here and there. Trying to catch one landing in a spot where I could photograph it was a completely different story. It’s really frustrating when one would flutter up in front of me out of the grass and then fly to the top of a nearby tree! I had to approach them very slowly and try not to caste my shadow on them. Eventually one landed on a small thorny flower on a little rise that was quite approachable. I stayed there for about ten minutes trying several different angles to get a better view of it. It was simply a gorgeous day. God’s love and blessings to all, chris